03-A PEDC Min 09-10-04
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARIS ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
September 10,2004
The Paris Economic Development Corporation met in regular session on Friday,
September 10, 2004, in the Community Room of the Lamar County Chamber
of Commerce, 1125 Bonham, Paris, Texas. Vice President Mike Dunn called the
meeting to order with the following Directors present: Richard Severson, Sims
Norment and Rodney Bass. Also present were Ex-officio member Tanis Hager,
County Judge Chuck Superville, Mayor Curtis Fendley, Interim City Manager
Larry Shaw, City Attorney Larry W. Schenk, and Assistant City Clerk Sherian
Dixon.
Vice President Dunn called for approval of minutes from the August 18, 2004
meeting. Director Bass made a motion to approve the minutes. The motion was
seconded by Director Severson and carried unanimously.
City Finance Director Gene Anderson came forward with the Financial Report
for August 2004. Mr. Anderson called their attention to the Cash Flow
Statement and the net PEDC sales tax collection schedule. He indicated that
August's sales tax collection was up considerably. He said there was nothing
unusual in the expenditures for the month. Director Sims made a motion to
accept the reports, which was seconded by Director Bass. The motion carried
unanimously.
Executive Director Gary Vest came forward with the Directors report. He
introduced Chad Manning, new Assistant PEDC Director. He said Mr. Manning
had been the IT Manager for Southern Methodist University for the past four
years and had just returned to Paris.
Mr. Vest said the project with the helicopter ambulance was still moving ahead.
He indicated that the local hospital and Kent Klinkerman, City of Paris EMS
Director, would be meeting with them next week.
Mr. Vest said a representative from Bandera Ventures came in and viewed
eighteen (18) different commercial sites. Bandera Ventures is representing a
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September 10,2004
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service type company. He said Chad had prepared a map locating the sites and
listing the prices for those sites.
Mr. Vest related that they were working with a confidential prospect called
Prospect #072004115, which is a manufacturer of plastic pipe. Mr. Vest said
he has been trying to get them to locate in the Superior Building. He explained
if they do locate in that building, it would accomplish three things:
1. Bring a new employer to Paris
2. Remove the eyesore on the Loop
3. It would be a plus for the community
He has been working with Dan Zimmerman, owner of the building, who would
like to get rid of the building. Mr. Vest said that Mr. Zimmerman's mortgage on
the building was $325,000.00. Mr. Zimmerman said he would like for PEDC to
buy it or pick up the payments to lease-Purchase it.
Mr. Vest indicated that he had sent Phase I of the Environmental Scan. He
suggested PEDC get that building and put a new roof on it, which will cost a
least $200,000.00. He said they could clean it up, then make the building and
twenty (20) acres of land part of the Industrial Park. He wanted to get Phase II
of the Environmental Scan done to make sure it could be cleaned up. He said the
guy from the plastic pipe manufacturer would be in next week to look at the
building. He felt it would be cheaper than building a new building.
Mr. Vest said that although PJ Trailers had cooled off a little, they were still
interested.
He announced that the Hearne Street Project was nearly finished. Mr. Vest said
that Reeves Hayter, the Project Engineer, had sent a letter to Stephens and Sons
to tell them they have exceeded the term of their contract. He said concrete was
being poured in the Industrial Park and they were liquidating damages. He felt
a fine of $250.00 per day would give them incentive to finish quickly.
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September 10,2004
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Concerning the World War II Museum, Mr. Vest said they were still working
on that. He indicated there were some problems with the lease. Mr. Vest said
they have asked the man for some information and were waiting for that. Mr.
Vest said the man would release his financials when they agreed on a lease.
Director Sims asked how much the Phase II Environmental Study would cost.
Executive Director Vest said it depended on the size of the property and he
estimated about $3000.00. He explained that they wanted to do the
Environmental Study to make sure it would be worth cleaning up. He said they
had even talked about tearing the building down but it was a very solid building
made of concrete with a steel frame. He said one of the attractive points for the
building was that it had a railway that actually went into the building and
overhead cranes.
Chad Manning said he had gotten a bid from Ned Jenkins for removal of the rail
spur for $100,000.00.
Resolution No. 2004-010, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Paris
Economic Development Corporation recommending to the City Council of the
City of Paris, Texas, approval of a tax abatement agreement and other associated
economic incentives for Paris Warehouse 107, inc., was presented.
Directive Guest handed out the tax abatement application from WePack. He said
they wanted to add 170,000 square feet to their existing plant on the Loop. He
said the application said this would add thirty jobs, but he had met with David
Owens of We Pack, who said it would be more like fifty jobs.
Mr. Guest said it would be a $5 million investment to build the building. He
explained that this work is currently being done in Sulphur Springs, but they
want to do it in Paris.
He showed a site plan for the proposed building, with the existing building and
proposed building. He said there was a fire plug that needed to be moved and
recommended that PEDC move the fire plug. City Engineer Shawn Napier said
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September 10,2004
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it would cost approximately $2000.00.
City Attorney Schenk said he needed a description for the land and appraisal
information to estimate the base value. He said his office is working on a draft
of the agreement.
Director Norment made a motion to approve the resolution, which was seconded
by Director Bass. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Vest said this would be brought before the City Council on October 7th.
County Judge Superville indicated that he would need information and
documents to bring before the County Commissioners and to post an agenda
seven to ten days before their meeting. Mr. Vest related that David Owens
would be at both the City and County meetings.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
MIKE DUNN, VICE PRESIDENT
SHERIAN DIXON, ASST. CITY CLERK